Public Meetings - Belgrade, Montana

The Belgrade City Council met on Monday, July 20, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. The meeting began with a pledge of allegiance, followed by a public forum, a proclamation, a consent agenda, a public hearing, discussion items, an executive session, and reports from council and staff. Key actions included approval of a zone map amendment, first reading of an ordinance changing council meeting dates/times, and completion of the annual city manager performance review. Consent Calendar - Approved the minutes from the January 20, 2026, council meeting and a July workshop (date not specified) with correction of typographical errors. Motion by Deputy Mayor Matamo, second by Council Member Minacucci; passed unanimously. Public Comments & Testimony - Eric Holton (17 David Drive) requested elimination of the sidewalk on the west side of Collins Road during upcoming construction, presenting a petition from approximately 50 neighbors. He argued that the sidewalk would be inconsistent with existing development and that pedestrians could use the east‑side sidewalk. City Manager Cardwell responded that staff is exploring not installing the sidewalk but requiring grading for future installation, subject to stormwater compliance. He directed Mr. Holton to continue working with new City Engineer Chad Mosul. - Mark Dobrinski (905 Ernie Court) expressed concern about traffic speed and volume on streets near his home (Jack Rabbit, Per Cruiser, Dry Creek, Bollinger). He counted 185 cars between 4:30–5 p.m. and 498 cars between 5–6 p.m., with minimal police presence. He requested increased enforcement during peak commute times (6–8 a.m. and 4–6 p.m.) to address speeding and distracted driving. Proclamation - Mayor Meece proclaimed August 1, 2026, as VFW Day in Belgrade, recognizing VFW Post 12112 (chartered in 2011) as the fastest growing VFW post in Montana. Discussion Items - Ordinance 2026‑5 – Zone Map Amendment (Second Reading): Senior Planner Brad Stein presented the request by RC Properties LLC to zone the McMillan property as Mixed Residential District upon annexation into the city, consistent with the Suburban future land use designation. The property is currently unzoned; the council discussed that zoning takes effect only after annexation. No public comment was offered. The council approved the second reading unanimously. - Ordinance 2026‑4 – Council Meeting Date, Time, and Location (First Reading): City Attorney Kyla Murray presented a proposal to amend city code to change regular council meetings from Mondays at 7 p.m. to Tuesdays at 6 p.m., and to cancel meetings that fall on federal holidays rather than rescheduling them to the following day. The change was discussed at the council‑staff retreat and is intended to improve convenience and reduce conflicts (e.g., Monday holidays, Monday Night Football). The council set a public hearing for August 3, 2026, and approved the first reading unanimously. - Executive Session – City Manager Performance Review: The council moved into closed session under MCA 2‑3‑203(4) to discuss strategy regarding litigation and personnel. After reconvening, Mayor Meece summarized the council’s positive evaluation of City Manager Neil Cardwell, noting high performance in organizational leadership, policy implementation, communication, and project management. Areas for future focus include community engagement, delegation, strategic planning, and work‑life balance. The council expressed confidence in his leadership. Reports - Mayor Meece reported on a successful “Reading with the Mayor” story time at the library and thanked staff for the July 3 America 250 celebration (block party and fireworks). - City Attorney Murray announced that Jessica McKee of Billings has accepted the position of Chief Civil Attorney, starting in approximately 60 days; McKee will bring expertise in land‑use law and Malupa compliance. - City Manager Cardwell updated the council on the water storage project: HDR Engineering has completed 60% drawings; a test well at the gravel pit site is authorized, with results expected by mid‑ to late‑August. Potential value engineering may allow drilling a high‑pressure well at the same site (instead of at Mayfair Meadows Park), reducing costs and accelerating capacity. The three‑million‑gallon storage tank is still expected to be complete in 2028, but well capacity may come online sooner. On the July 3 celebration, staff debriefed and unanimously agreed to repeat the event; efforts will begin soon to seek community donations for fireworks. - FYIs: Council Member Bell reported from the Senior Center Advisory Board: the Senior Center served nearly 26,000 meals in fiscal year ending June 2026 (up from 9,300 in FY2017‑18). Membership revenue budgeted at $6,500 is expected to exceed $10,000, and a $50,000 donation supported the “Mills on Wills” program. Council Member Simon noted the Planning Commission meeting scheduled for July 27 was canceled. Key Outcomes - Approved consent agenda (minutes) unanimously. - Approved second reading of Ordinance 2026‑5 (McMillan property zone map amendment) unanimously. - Approved first reading of Ordinance 2026‑4 (council meeting day/time change to Tuesdays at 6 p.m.) and set public hearing for August 3, 2026; passed unanimously. - Completed annual city manager performance review with a positive overall assessment and identified areas for future focus. - Jesse McKee hired as Chief Civil Attorney; start date in approximately 60 days. - Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:30 p.m. (estimated).

The Belgrade City Council held a workshop session on July 13, 2026, to discuss code enforcement staffing and operations, an update on the City Hall/Qua building/Justice Center renovation project, and to hear public comment. The meeting was chaired by the Deputy Mayor, with council members Matthew E., Jim Simon, and Aaron Bell present. Councilmember Jason Guppy and Mayor Meese were excused. City Manager Neil provided staff reports. Code Enforcement Concerns and Staffing - Background: Two code enforcement officers authorized; one (Finn) is serving as acting county commissioner for remainder of year (180-day job protection). The other officer may leave for highway patrol academy, potentially leaving zero code enforcement staff by mid-August. Animal control and parking enforcement are primary duties. - Chief Dustin Lensing provided statistics: code enforcement handles 5,000 calls for service per year (vs. 950-1,200 for patrol officers), 2,000 infractions written annually, 420 unpaid tickets worth about $30,000. Current manual ticketing process takes 15-20 minutes per infraction. - Discussion of potential efficiencies: software integration ($20,000–$25,000) and license plate reader (LPR) system ($30,000–$40,000) that could reduce time per infraction from 30-35 minutes to 90 seconds. - Councilmember expressed strong support for exploring new technology to reduce administrative burden and improve enforcement efficiency. - Staff recommended not backfilling positions short-term due to training timeline, and instead banking salary savings for potential technology investments. - Chief noted an eight-page assessment and draft ordinance to move many infractions to civil side (allowing city to retain 100% of fines). Public Comments & Testimony - Michael Phillips (95 North Broadway) commented that violators should pay for enforcement services and questioned where citation revenue goes. He expressed support for using technology to generate revenue. - A scout, Justin Whitworth (A55 Armada), attended for an Eagle Scout merit badge and gave brief remarks. Discussion Items: City Hall/Qua Building/Justice Center Progress - City Manager Neil reported: Asbestos abatement cost significantly higher than initial estimate ($300,000 vs. $110,000). Total project budget for HEC remodel is $1.85 million (after $250,000 transfer). Base scope GMP expected in two weeks; confident on base scope but concerned about add-ons like access control and HVAC/cooling for the courtroom. - KWA project: Fiber optic installation cost reduced from $160,000 to $90,000 due to changed termination point and use of existing private fiber. - Budget tight; potential funding sources include newly taxable values or unrestricted fund balance (currently above 10% target). Staff cautious about dropping below 10%. - Council expressed support for the renovation approach, noting it is far cheaper than building new ($40–$60 million). - Council asked about status of sold houses and potential land swap with school district to bring Lions Park back to city ownership; ongoing discussions. Introduction of New City Engineer - Chad Mosul introduced; began work July 13, 2026, previously with MDT, Belgrade resident for nine years. Council welcomed him. Key Outcomes - No formal votes or decisions taken (workshop session). Direction given to staff to scope software and LPR systems for parking enforcement, ensuring integration with finance systems. - Staff to bring updated ordinance on civil infractions. - Staff to report back on GMP for HEC project and explore funding options. - Meeting adjourned at 6:56 PM.

The Belgrade City Council met on July 6, 2026, with Deputy Mayor presiding due to Mayor Meese's absence. The meeting covered a unanimous consent agenda, multiple public hearings, and discussions on zoning, budget adoption, subdivision extensions, annexation, and board appointments. Key decisions included approving a zone map amendment for the McMillan property, adopting the preliminary FY27 budget, granting a one-year preliminary plat extension for the Stone Creek subdivision, and establishing a permanent Planning Commission. Consent Calendar - Approved consent agenda as presented (unanimous). Public Comments & Testimony - Randy Mills (419 Owl Drive) requested no-parking signs on Henry, Helen, Pearl, and Owl Drive to improve sightlines at Spooner Road intersections during baseball season. No council action was taken; comment was received. - Kevin McNeilis (Horseshoe Meadows HOA) spoke during the public hearing for the McMillan zone map amendment (Item 4.1). He expressed support for the development but asked for consideration to preserve the rural character of the adjacent horse properties. He noted he had submitted written comments and planned to meet with city staff. Discussion Items - Zone Map Amendment – McMillan Property (4.1): Brad Stein, Senior Planner, presented a request from RC Properties LLC to zone the McMillan property (between South Alaska Road and Jackrabbit Lane, north of McMillan Lane) as Mixed Residential District upon annexation. The first reading was approved unanimously, with a final hearing set for July 20, 2026. The Planning Board had previously voted unanimously in favor. - Interim Zoning Ordinance 2026-6 (4.2): A temporary one-year measure to replace references to the Planning Board with the Planning Commission in the zoning ordinance, as allowed under the Montana Land Use Planning Act (MLUPA). Approved unanimously. - Master Fee Schedule FY27 (4.3): Resolution 2026-10 adopting the master fee schedule with an effective date of August 1, 2026. Approved unanimously. - Preliminary FY27 Budget (4.4): Resolution 2026-15 adopting the preliminary budget. Finance Director Charity presented detailed revenue and expenditure projections. Key points: 32% of revenue from taxes ($9.1M preliminary), 55% of expenditures for personnel, $1.1M increase in salary and benefits including one new FTE (chief civil attorney), $104M in long-term debt, and a 10.11% estimated unrestricted fund balance. The budget will be finalized after certified values are received in August. Approved by roll call (all ayes). - Stone Creek Preliminary Plat Extension: Developer John Rosa and his representative requested a three-year extension for the preliminary plat (originally approved May 2023). They cited delays due to DNRC place-of-use approvals and water storage issues, and noted they had invested heavily in infrastructure (lift station, force main). Staff recommended a one-year extension to allow annual review. Council approved the one-year extension (unanimous). - Annexation of McMillan Property (Resolution 2026-13): Approved the annexation and annexation agreement, which requires the developer to install infrastructure, convey water rights, and comply with city standards. Council noted that the new MLUPA rules allow automatic place-of-use changes upon annexation. Approved unanimously. - Permanent Planning Commission (Resolution 2026-12): Established a permanent five-member Planning Commission to replace the interim commission and the former City-County Planning Board, as required by MLUPA. Approved unanimously. - Mayor's Recommendations for Appointments: Appointed Matthew Anderson (term to July 6, 2026) and Matthew Collingwood (term to July 6, 2028) to the Planning Commission, and reappointed Whitney Lonsdale to the Gallatin County City Board of Health (term to June 30, 2029). Approved unanimously. - Parks, Trails & Recreation District FY27 Budget (Resolution 2026-11): Approved the budget, which includes a debt service payment for a $6M bond, recreational programming (including fireworks display), shade structures, a dump trailer, an ATV, and CIP projects (phase 2 bike park, volleyball court, splash pad study). The budget will be recalculated after certified values. Approved unanimously. Key Outcomes - Zone map amendment (McMillan): Approved on first reading; final hearing July 20, 2026. - Interim zoning ordinance: Approved. - Master fee schedule: Adopted; effective August 1, 2026. - Preliminary FY27 budget: Adopted; final budget to follow in September. - Stone Creek plat extension: Approved for one year (to June 26, 2027). - McMillan annexation: Approved. - Permanent Planning Commission: Established. - Appointments: Approved as recommended. - Parks district budget: Adopted.

The Belgrade City Council held a workshop on June 29, 2026, to discuss several operational and financial items, including planned America 250 celebrations, updates on city wells and infrastructure, a proposed street maintenance fee structure, and the fiscal year 2027 master fee schedule. The meeting also included discussion on cost recovery for special events and a consent item to excuse Councilmember Guffey. Consent Calendar - The Council unanimously approved a motion to excuse Councilmember Guffey from the meeting. The motion was made by Deputy Mayor Mademoiselle (likely Christa Anducci, as stated in roll call) and seconded by Councilmember Simon. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public spoke during the public forum. The Mayor called for public comment three times, and seeing none, closed the forum. Discussion Items America 250 Block Party and Fireworks - Whitney, Communications Manager, and Jordan Green, Parks and Recreation Director, presented plans for the America 250 celebration. The block party will be held on Friday, July 3 (inferred) from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Broadway between Maine and Central, using the First Interstate Bank parking lot. Entertainment includes the Belgrade Orchestra Enrichment Council (5-6 p.m.) and the 80s cover band The Disruptors (6-8 p.m.). Fireworks will be launched from city-owned property on the west side of town starting around 10:30 p.m. Staff coordinated with multiple departments, the airport, and fire services. Sponsors include Northwestern Energy, Town Pump, Rocky Mountain Contractors, Stockman, and Rose Hours. City Wells Update - Jason Murphy, Acting Public Works Director, provided updates: Well 9's pump is installed, commissioning set for July 8-9. Well 8 is undergoing evaluation for glass bead packing; a new pump has not been ordered pending flow testing. Well 5, offline for a month, has seen water levels rise by about 10 feet and ran for two hours without cavitation. Oxidation Ditch Repairs - Bidding documents have been received from two engineering firms. The city is preparing to solicit bids for interior immersion coating and exterior crack repair on Oxidation Ditch Number 1. Testing equipment will be provided on-site. Street Fee Discussion - City Manager Greg Tran presented options for the FY27 street maintenance fee. The city currently charges $25 per single-family parcel, but a new fee structure is needed to cover roughly $1.6 million in operating and maintenance costs. Three options were discussed: (1) the original proposal using ITE trip generation (which resulted in a projected $64,000 annual fee for a FedEx facility), (2) a revised version adding a high-cube facility classification, and (3) an interim rate option using flat fees per parcel with categories. The interim option sets a single-family fee of $236.74 (based on a 14% increase from the Producer Price Index over two years plus exempt properties) and flat fees for multi-family (up to 4 units), commercial ($1,330 average), industrial, and high-cube facilities. The city manager recommended the interim rate as defensible, noting that a full traffic study may be needed in two years. Council members expressed support for the interim approach, emphasizing the need to balance economic development with cost recovery. Master Plans Update - The Transportation Master Plan (88 pages) has been submitted to MDT for review; a workshop is planned for September. The Utilities Master Plan (254 pages) will be presented in October with adoption anticipated in November. Both will be living digital documents. FY27 Master Fee Schedule and Special Event Permits - Charity, Finance Director, presented the proposed fee schedule. Key elements include: (1) Community development fees saw minor changes (condensed planning fees, added chicken permit, marijuana business permit, home-based business permit). (2) Public works and engineering fees will increase by 2.46% based on the Municipal Cost Index (MCI), a new methodology recommended for annual adjustments. (3) Utility rates: water +4%, wastewater +10% through 2029 (wastewater drops to 3% in 2029). (4) Special event permits currently cost $50 plus $118 for traffic plan review, but city costs range from $250 to $1,600 per hour for staff support. Council discussed the need for cost recovery while preserving community events. There was general consensus to explore a tiered fee structure or hourly rates, similar to other cities, and to differentiate between small and large events. Key Outcomes - The Council unanimously excused Councilmember Guffey. - No formal votes were taken on street fees, master plans, or the fee schedule; these items will return at future meetings for action. - Direction was given to staff: (a) proceed with the interim street fee rate option with flat fees per parcel; (b) use the Municipal Cost Index for annual fee adjustments where feasible, with periodic full cost analyses; (c) develop a special event fee proposal reflecting the size and city resources required, considering exemptions for historic community events. - Staff will explore adding no-parking signs near parks to address safety concerns from event parking. - The City Manager's performance review will be moved from the first July meeting to the third July meeting to accommodate the Mayor's absence. Meeting adjourned after final announcements.

The Belgrade City Council met on June 15, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and a unanimous vote to excuse Councilmember Simon. The previously noticed public hearing for the master fee schedule was postponed and will be renoticed. The council addressed a consent agenda item and discussed mayoral appointments to advisory boards. All votes were unanimous. Consent Calendar - Approved the findings of fact for the Yukon Commercial Minors Subdivision (unanimous). Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were made during the public forum or during the discussion agenda item. Discussion Items - Mayoral Advisory Board Appointments: Mayor recommended reappointing Diana Perry (city representative) and Clint Steadman (county representative) to the Parks Board, and appointing Leslie Madsen and Riley McDonald to the TIF Advisory Committee. A third applicant, Andrew Sotero, was ineligible. Deputy Mayor Matimo expressed a desire to continue serving on the Parks Board. The applicants spoke briefly in support of their appointments. The council unanimously adopted the mayor's recommendations. Key Outcomes - Council excused Councilmember Simon (unanimous). - Consent agenda approved unanimously. - Advisory board appointments adopted unanimously. Reports and Announcements - Mayor reported upcoming Montana League of Cities meetings in Helena. - City attorney announced absences on June 18–19 and June 22–23. - Councilmember Minicucci asked about the meaning of a wavy diamond pattern in street striping on Main Street; city staff will research and report back. - There was a discrepancy regarding the next council meeting: the mayor initially stated it would be the following Monday (June 22), but Deputy Mayor Matimo later clarified that there is no meeting in June and the next meeting will be in July. - Upcoming events: Juneteenth office closure (June 19), rescheduled city-county health board meeting (June 25), roller rebound exhibition game in Big Sky (June 28), Cars on Broadway (July 5), fireworks and community event (July 3), and story time with the mayor (July 2).

The Belgrade City Council held a workshop meeting on June 8, 2026, to discuss two major updates: the annual street fee and the annual forestry fee. The council reviewed proposals from consultants AE2S (for street fees) and Cushing Terrell (for forestry fees), heard public comment (none offered), and provided direction to staff. No formal votes were taken; decisions will be finalized at future meetings. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public spoke during the designated public comment periods for either the street fee or forestry fee discussion, nor during the general public forum. Discussion Items Annual Street Fee Update - Presenter: Ryan Graft, Senior Consultant, AE2S, assisted by Assistant City Manager Greg Tryan. - Purpose: To update the street fee methodology to equitably fund operations and maintenance (O&M) of existing streets, excluding expansion or capacity improvements (handled by impact fees). - Current Fee: Single-family residential pays $205 per parcel per year; commercial and industrial pay the same flat $205, regardless of size. - Proposed Baseline Recommendation: Maintain single-family at $205 (O&M only) and use trip generation (ITE data) to allocate costs to other property types: multifamily ($173/unit), commercial ($676/1,000 sq ft), industrial ($303/1,000 sq ft) for combined O&M and capital. Capital costs shown as lumpy, with a $1.6 million total revenue target for FY27. - Concerns Raised by Council: - Councilmember Jason Gucky noted commercial fees would increase significantly (e.g., median 5,000 sq ft commercial from $205 to $1,685/year), potentially making Belgrade the highest in the state. - Councilmember Matt Niki and others questioned the classification of FedEx/Amazon as industrial vs. commercial, given high trip generation. - Councilmember Christine Menacucci suggested raising the residential fee slightly to ease pressure on commercial. - Councilmember Aaron Bell noted storage units likely fall under industrial. - Councilmember Simon criticized the lack of contribution from airport/tourism and suggested a sales tax on rental cars as a solution. - Councilmember Michael McGee and others emphasized the need to attract businesses and avoid driving them to Bozeman. - Alternatives Mentioned: - Using trip generation for single-family would shift burden to non-residential. - A cap on commercial square footage (like Bozeman's 10,000 sq ft cap) was suggested. - A one-year punt with a flat across-the-board increase to $250–$280 per parcel. - Staff Direction: City Manager Mikesell stated staff will revise the proposal based on council feedback, including exploring a residential increase, commercial caps, and better classification of distribution facilities. A revised proposal will be brought back. Annual Forestry Fee Update - Presenter: Jordan Green, Director of Parks, Trails and Recreation. - Purpose: To update the forestry fee (established last year at $38.07 per parcel) to a more equitable, lot-size-based methodology. - Metrics Considered: Land use, lot size, frontage, tree count. Preferred metric: lot size. - Three Alternatives Presented: - Alternative A (Equalized): Steady rise from $33.66 (0–1/8 acre) to $64.44 (50+ acres). Reduces fees for 93% of lots under 1/4 acre. - Alternative B (Reduce Impact on Smallest Lots): Steep increase for large lots; 75% of lots see significant reduction; highest fees for large lots. - Alternative C (Recommended – Balanced with Cap): Fees decrease or stay the same for 93% of lots (0–1/2 acre), with a cap of $66.67 for lots 1 acre and larger. Small increases for 1/2–5 acre parcels (often commercial/industrial). - Council Consensus: All council members expressed support for Alternative C. Councilmember Simon asked about annual review; City Manager noted it will be brought to council each year, with potential indexation to municipal construction costs. - Next Steps: Staff will bring a final decision to the council at the first meeting in July. Key Outcomes - Street Fee: Council provided directional feedback for staff to revise the proposal, including considering a residential rate increase, commercial caps, and better differentiation of distribution centers. No formal vote. - Forestry Fee: Council expressed unanimous support for Alternative C (balanced with cap). Staff will bring a final ordinance for approval in July. - Good of the Order: Councilmember Simon and Deputy Mayor Manimo noted they will be absent from the next council meeting (June 15, 2026) due to vacation.

The Belgrade City Council met on June 1, 2026, to address routine approvals, public comments, a subdivision plat, withdrawal from the city-county planning board, and an emergency declaration for water system failures. All votes were unanimous. Consent Calendar - Approved the council minutes from December 1 and December 15, 2025, as submitted. Public Comments & Testimony - Vivian Krauss (904 Burke Court) inquired about weed maintenance on Cruiser Street from Westwood to 13th Street. The city manager clarified that sidewalks and the area from sidewalk to curb are maintained by adjacent property owners and offered to follow up on the specific location. - Riley McDonald (Front Five Architecture, owner of 11 East Main) spoke on behalf of a petition with over 1,200 signatures against the proposed downtown roundabout. He requested that the roundabout be elevated to a commission topic, that a community-based decision be made, and that more meetings and a voting opportunity be held. He expressed concern that the city's relationship with MDT may limit local input. The city manager responded that the roundabout is on a state-owned highway (MDT jurisdiction), that the city has been advocating for over two and a half years with multiple design iterations, and that citizens can voice concerns to the state Highway Commission. Discussion Items - Preliminary Plat Approval – Yukon Commercial Minor Subdivision: Emily Martinez (planner) presented a request for preliminary plat approval of a 21.36-acre property into three commercial/industrial lots and one stormwater lot, located northeast of Frank Road and Jack Rabbit Lane. The planning board recommended approval on May 27, 2026, subject to standard conditions. Applicant Tom Berkeley thanked staff. No public comment. The council voted unanimously to approve subject to all laws and staff conditions. - Resolution 2026-9 – Withdrawal from City-County Planning Board: Brad Stein (senior planner) presented a resolution to formally withdraw from the Belgrade-Gallatin County City-County Planning Board, ending the city's administration of the extraterritorial planning jurisdiction (ETJ) after 50 years. The city manager noted this aligns with the Montana Land Use Planning Act and clarifies rules for annexation areas. The resolution includes an effective date of June 30, 2026. No public comment. The council voted unanimously to approve. - Emergency Declaration – Water System Well Failures: City Manager Cardwell reported catastrophic failures at well 8 (Lewis and Clark Park) due to sand ingestion, destroying the pump, and well 5 (Yukon Lane) where the water level dropped below the pump impeller, taking it offline. Well 3 also had a minor check valve failure. The city manager declared an emergency due to lost system redundancy. He requested $600,000 from water system reserves (currently $3M) for repairs and investigation: $500,000 for well 8 (new pump, sand filtration via glass beads) and $100,000 for a plan to fix well 5 (potential VFD installation or deepening). The city manager urged residents to follow irrigation restrictions to reduce demand. Public comment: Diana Perry (1013 East Gallatin Avenue) asked if other wells could be affected. The city manager noted it is too early to tell but that central wells are deeper and being monitored. The council voted unanimously to authorize the emergency expenditures. Key Outcomes - Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously. - Yukon Commercial Minor Subdivision: Preliminary plat approved unanimously with conditions. - Resolution 2026-9: Approved unanimously, effective June 30, 2026, withdrawing from the city-county planning board and transitioning ETJ to Gallatin County. - Emergency Declaration: Authorized $600,000 from water system reserves for well 8 repair and well 5 investigation, with the city manager directed to proceed with emergency purchases. Reports - Mayor reported attending the Bozeman Chamber Regional Economic Development seminar and a coffee chat with Montana Supreme Court justices. - City manager announced the departure of City Engineer Joe Hoke (moving to Billings) and Assistant City Attorney Adrian (returning to private sector), thanking them for their service. - Councilmember Menicucci noted concerns from the water quality board about well and septic system issues in the valley and the need for funding to study aquifer impacts. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at an unspecified time.

The Belgrade City Council met on May 18, 2026, to consider several items, including second reading of subdivision regulations compliant with the Montana Land Use Planning Act, a resolution for a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant for the Mayfair Meadows Bike Park, and received reports from city staff on upcoming construction projects and community events. All votes were unanimous. Consent Calendar - The Council approved the consent agenda, which included routine approvals, unanimously. Public Hearings - Subdivision Regulations (Second Reading): The Council held a public hearing for an ordinance adopting subdivision regulations compliant with the Montana Land Use Planning Act. Catherine King, Director of Community and Economic Development, presented alongside Charles Trowell of Cushing Terrell. No public comments were made. The Council voted unanimously to approve the ordinance on final reading. The City Manager noted that this was a template document and that staff will bring forward more specific modifications in the coming weeks to tailor the regulations to Belgrade's needs. Discussion Items - Resolution 2026-8 – Land and Water Conservation Fund Assistance: The Council discussed a resolution authorizing an application for a $450,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant, with a 50% match from the city, for phase one of the Mayfair Meadows Bike Park. The match is partly covered by a county open area grant of $100,000, donor contributions, and the parks district's CIP budget. The resolution was modified to authorize the city manager to sign related documents. No public comments were made. The Council voted unanimously to adopt the resolution. Reports & Announcements - City Manager's Report: Provided updates on: - Construction on Grogan Street and Gallatin Field (resurfacing, starting May 19, with no parking on Main St and single-lane traffic). - Annual spring yard waste cleanup (May 19-20, with drop-off at Bollinger Pit). - National Public Works Week, including a film on wastewater systems on May 21 at 6 p.m. - Council Member Reports: Deputy Mayor Matamo promoted a roller derby event and noted upcoming absences. Councilmember Menicucci observed construction near Bollinger, identified by Public Works Director Camry as the new Weaver lift station excavation. Councilmember Simon noted absences for May 27 interim planning meetings and June 15 council meeting. - FYI: Reminder of Memorial Day closure on May 26 (next Monday from meeting date). Key Outcomes - The subdivision regulations ordinance was adopted on final reading. - Resolution 2026-8 was adopted, authorizing the grant application for the bike park and authorizing the city manager to sign documents. - The meeting adjourned after 22 minutes. Note: All votes were unanimous as reflected in the transcript. No public comments were received for any item.

This meeting focused on upcoming federal and state stormwater regulations requiring the City of Belgrade to comply with the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit. Public Works Director Camry Yulia presented a detailed overview of the requirements, a proposed stormwater utility, and three budget scenarios. Council members discussed the options, balancing regulatory obligations with taxpayer impacts, and leaned toward a modified version of Scenario 2. Discussion Items - MS4 Compliance Overview: Yulia explained that Belgrade will be designated as a discretionary MS4 by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) once its population exceeds 10,000 (confirmed by 2020 census). DEQ will include Belgrade in the 2027 general permit renewal. Key deadlines include a public hearing on May 22, 2026, formal notification expected in October 2026, and permit application due within 180 days (by March 2027). - Regulatory Requirements: The MS4 permit mandates six minimum control measures: public education, illicit discharge detection, construction site stormwater management, post-construction management, pollution prevention, and GIS mapping of all stormwater infrastructure within city limits and a one-mile buffer. Annual permit fee is approximately $8,000. Non-compliance risks include fines, third-party lawsuits, and hindered state development approvals. - Current Stormwater System: Belgrade lacks dedicated funding, relies on as-needed maintenance, and has many failing French drains. About half of the city has inadequate stormwater infrastructure. Newer subdivisions have centralized systems, but older areas lack curb and gutter. - Proposed Stormwater Utility: Yulia recommended a utility model (over a special improvement district) to provide dedicated funding. The rate structure uses a hybrid approach based on zoning and average impervious surface area, with an Equivalent Impact Factor (EIF). Rates are per acre; excluded city-owned properties and vacant parcels. Three budget scenarios were presented: - Scenario 1 ($1.0M/year): Bare minimum staffing (4-person team + 2 operators, half FTEs), minimal equipment, no capital reserves. Example monthly residential rate: $8.68. - Scenario 2 ($1.6M/year): Adds half FTE engineer, full-time permitting tech, new VAC jetter truck (3-year financing), professional services for rate study, impact fee study, and stormwater master plan, $100k/year capital reserve. Example residential rate: $13.81/month. - Scenario 3 ($1.9M/year): Additional operator, mid-size excavator, robust repair budget, $250k/year capital reserve. Example residential rate: $16.17/month. - Council Deliberation: Council members expressed general support for Scenario 2, with several suggesting a "Scenario 1.5" to ease into higher rates while still providing adequate staffing and initial capital. Key concerns included taxpayer burden (referencing recent failed school levy), the need for public education, and equity between residential and commercial sectors. Councilmember McGee noted the city's per-capita water use is high and connected to stormwater quality. Councilmember Nicene emphasized clean drinking water and aquifer protection. Councilmember Guffey opposed bare-minimum Scenario 1. Mayor and City Manager suggested possible adjustments: delaying VAC truck purchase, using wastewater SLAR fund, or spreading equipment payments over 5 years. - Rate Equity Discussion: The initial rate spread was considered equitable by most council members, as it was based on average impervious area by zone. No strong support emerged for shifting more burden to commercial, given efforts to attract businesses. Councilmember McGee proposed a sliding scale per acre for larger commercial parcels, but City Manager noted legal constraints and potential inequities. Key Outcomes - The council directed staff to refine the utility proposal, aiming for a "Scenario 1.5" that retains three operators (safety minimum) and essential equipment but may defer capital purchases or reduce capital reserves. - Staff will bring a revised rate structure and utility ordinance for a first reading in June 2026, with a public hearing in July 2026, and intended effective date of August 2026. - A stormwater master plan and impact fee study are planned as part of professional services in the chosen scenario. - Council emphasized the need for extensive public outreach to explain the regulatory mandate and benefits (protecting groundwater, avoiding fines). - The city manager noted that creating the utility now, rather than waiting for regulatory enforcement, allows for proactive management.